New grad in Colorado Springs

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Hello!

I am a future University of Oklahoma College of Nursing BSN grad, and I will be moving to Colorado Springs to be near my husband who is stationed at Peterson AFB. I was just wondering if any Colorado nurses can tell me what the job market is like in Colorado Springs for new nursing grads? To be honest, I've heard some pretty bad things: Such as there is very very little need for new grads. It is discouraging. I have done all of my clinicals and networking in Oklahoma, and am coming here to Colorado SPrings with no type of network contact. I plan on just applying to as many job openings as possible.

But any advice and info will be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
what the job market is like in Colorado Springs for new nursing grads?
The job market is horrid for new grads in virtually all of the major cities in the state.
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one of my colleagues was a very seasoned nurse and did some travel nursing across the country for about a year. When she came back to CO, it was very difficult for her to find a job! Hence to say, she did say that Colorado LOVES new grads! So, don't feel discouraged. I know that Memorial Hospital is down in CO Springs and they've recently expanded, so you can look into it! Also, the new Children's Hospital is down there too...Don't fret. You will find something fitting for you!

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I did, indeed, hear that the job market in Colorado is particularly bad....I just keep hearing very negative things about Colorado. I would be willing to travel an hour to Denver is need be, but it seems the job market there is quite bad too. It is all very discouraging! Especially since I know that my husband is here in Colorado, and I absolutely refuse to be apart from my husband for any longer than what we have been doing. I had a co-worker of mine tell me her nursing school friend relocated to Colorado and it took her about 6 months to land a job. I would be willing to wait that long and search search search. I am VERY determined to find a nursing job there. I just hope that there is a nursing job available to me!!

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I'm a new grad that graduate from Beth El in Colorado Springs. I've found the job market to be tough, but I think that's true everywhere. Don't be afraid to look in places other than hospitals. Also, if you're willing to commute to Denver, you may also look into the medical centers down in Pueblo (south of C-Springs, and driving in the winter to Pueblo is usually easier -unless this mythical "Albuquerque low" comes thru). We are currently stationed at Peterson AFB so welcome!!! We've been here over 4 years and while the job market is hard for new grads, the area is very lovely! Just continue to apply and tailor your resume and cover letter to the units you're applying to.

I have found that Memorial is hard to get into, so many rumors flying about hiring freezes and what not. I've had one interview with Centura, but did not get the position.

I had twins 2 weeks after passing my NCLEX and so with my infants, I'm very restricted as far as commuting out of town (especially with El Hubs deployment schedule). You may have an easier time with your willingness to commute.

Congrats on getting Peterson AFB. It's a great assignment. Our time at Peterson AFB seems to be coming to a close and we have been told to expect orders within the year. It's bittersweet because I am ready for an easier job search, but Colorado Springs has been so good to us! But I suppose that's what happens.

Onward to new adventures!

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@New808BornRN, I really think Colorado SPrings is quite lovely, as well! My husband and I will be stationed here till about 2017 (we've been long distance for a year while I finish my schooling). I have actually never looked into Pueblo, and I am so happy you suggested that. I am willing to travel to Denver, but from what I have read/heard, the commute can be atrocious at times (due to weather and traffic). My husband actually commuted from Denver to C. Springs for a few weeks when he first moved to Colorado, and he said he really disliked it. I am still willing to go to Denver as a last resort though! I just want to find a good job! I will definitely be looking in the Pueblo area!! Thank you for all of the info and advice, and good luck to you and your family! Thank you for your family's service!

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My husband and I are stationed at Peterson as well and I lucked out as a new grad to land a great job in the ICU in Pueblo, the drive gets old but I do like the hospital! I did feel like I had a hard time landing a job with my out of state degree just because of how many local nursing schools there are! It's nice to see some other RN military wives!

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Hi! Well congratulations on your job at the ICU! I am also going to be applying to Pueblo and Castle Rock. Can I ask if you applied after you got your license or did you apply while you were still in nursing school? Oh yes, I have heard the job market out there is difficult, but it is encouraging to hear you landed a job you love! Yes, definitely an RN military spouse over here, and proud of it!

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Specializes in Primary care.

x28y31 & arclark; I will be moving to the CO springs this summer (military PCS too). It's quite disparaging to see/hear that the RN job market is "if'y" there as well. Do you have a good pulse on which hospital is looking to hire (penrose, st. francis, memorial?) or any other local clinical offices to include SNFs, Home Health, Acute Rehab? I did see that you commented on Castle & Pueblo. How about the military bases, what contractors hire for the government (besides USAjobs)? Thanks!

The DC metro area (here) is very difficult for new grads & RNs with

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Specializes in Home health, Addictions, Detox, Psych and clinics..
I did, indeed, hear that the job market in Colorado is particularly bad....I just keep hearing very negative things about Colorado. I would be willing to travel an hour to Denver is need be, but it seems the job market there is quite bad too. It is all very discouraging! Especially since I know that my husband is here in Colorado, and I absolutely refuse to be apart from my husband for any longer than what we have been doing. I had a co-worker of mine tell me her nursing school friend relocated to Colorado and it took her about 6 months to land a job. I would be willing to wait that long and search search search. I am VERY determined to find a nursing job there. I just hope that there is a nursing job available to me!!

I'm an LPN and it took less than a week to be hired in home health :) I'm in Denver and have about 1.5 yrs experience as an LPN. Originally from ca. I hear there is opportunity doing PDN in CO springs. Here in Denver there's always opportunity for new grads in PDN for sure. You can do it!

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I worked in home health at first. I just got a job in a hospital here (penrose-st. Francis).

As far as the two hospital systems it seems that only centura (penrose-st. Francis) is willing to hire new grads. I haven't heard of anyone getting a job at memorial as a new grad since 2012.

If you are looking to get a job in Colorado Springs hospital, then it's tough. But centura is hiring (they hired me and I only had 2 months of home health experience) it's just competitive. However, I was told that at saint francis they will be opening up a new ortho/neuro unit and will be hiring aggressively for it this summer. So if you will be here this summer thTs a place to look.

Also don't be afraid to look outside the hospital systems. HealthSouth rehab in town hires new grads and I have a classmate who works for them. Fantastic pay (for the springs) and even though it's rehab, a lot of the patients are very acute.

Be positive. I kept getting broken hearted by all the "not selected" statuses I saw on my applications but I persevered and networked as much as I could.

Good luck guys!! And welcome to Colorado Springs!!

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Military bases here are hiring as well. Evans (fort Carson's hosptal) just called up one of my classmates for an interview.

At Peterson AFB loyal source government or sowmthing like that has contracts. So does Luke and associates.

At usaf-academy I worked with digital-ets in the pharmacy during school and I know they hire for RNs but from what I heard they didn't have any new contracted positions in the springs (I talked to the woman who recruited me after I graduated).

I say right now, best bet is the centura health system (they have hospitals, snf, home health, etc) as far as in the springs go.

Other home health agencies to look at are MGA, interim, or maxim. MGA I know hires new grads.

Sorry to high jack this thread. Lemme know if there are any questions for the springs area :)

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